Can you live on a state pension if you are mortgage/rent free.

[whatisforteamum]

I'm sorting out the bills and since lockdown we ve lived a frugal life.
Always counted food costs and lessened trips to the garden center.
Dh retires this year with a pot of savings myself in a few more years.
I've seen too many single older women who's husband's have left or died before they could retire or do much together.
With a bus pass too I think his pension will surfice.
Am I deluded to think you can live on a state pension.
We have plenty put aside for household up keep etc.

It's ok for 2 on a state pension each, but quite hard going on one pension. I have a small occupational pension, and a limited amount of savings, which I try to keep for house repairs etc. I run a car, but no holidays.

I've read the thread but couldn't see anywhere that you both have a forecast for a full state pension. Apologies if I missed it.
I'm retired and have a full cadre of contributions but receive less than the full amount due to being contracted out for a number of years. Fortunately I have a private pension too. If your budget is very tight you need to be sure about what you'll both receive.
If you do qualify for the full pension or more you wouldn't be eligible for pension credit which, as others have said, unlocks so many other benefits.

I've read all the thread and I'm still not sure what the question is. I'm not sure OP if you just aren't sharing detail or if you don't know it?

There seems a mismatch in your comments about things being tight (I.e. giving up the car) but having savings.

As others have said the numbers will tell you based on 2 state pensions and then on 1. If you've got low income but high savings you'd have a pot to dip into for non routine costs (big dental bills, house repairs), you can guesstimate how long that might be sustainable for. Chat GPT is quite good at modelling withdrawals from financial pots allowing for growth/ inflation etc.

I would feel very exposed on just state pension and low savings.